Andrew Coulson Senior Reporter

Morpeth’s middle schools have been recognised for their thriving curriculum in music, art, drama and dance.

The creative art department at Chantry and Newminster Middle Schools and Technology Colleges has received the prestigious Artsmark Gold award.

Assessors from Arts Council England judged that both schools provide a high-quality arts education that supports the cultural development of all students.

Some of the pupils have reflected on their experiences in the ensemble groups, art clubs, trips, shows and competitions over the past year.

Erin Carr from Newminster said she loved playing the steel pans at the Sage Gateshead and Victoria Smyth enjoys meeting her friends from Chantry and the using unlimited creativity during set design club.

Chantry pupil Alex Harrison was thrilled to sing a solo at St James’s Church and is looking forward to performing in the ‘We Will Rock You’ musical and Breeanne Moody said it’s great that students from Newcastle College come along to the schools to help pupils develop their skills.

Jill Woolley, curriculum leader for the creative arts, said: “We are extremely proud of our students and how they get involved in all the arts activities we have on offer.

“This award reflects all the hard work put in by the staff and pupils in lessons and in extra curricular activities and the enjoyment that they get out of them.”